Roof pipe sealing apparatus

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for creating a water-tight seal around roof pipes extending upward on a roof surface is disclosed. Also disclosed is a method for sealing a joint around a roof pipe by securing the apparatus to the roof around the pipe.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to roofing accessories. More particularly, the present invention relates to a roofing accessory for preventing water leakage around roofing pipes.

BACKGROUND

Water tunnels or channels are problematic around pipes extending out of a roof Often times, the seal around the pipes are not completely sealed, or if they were sealed initially, the sealant has eroded due to weather or other environmental factors. To correct this generally requires a roofer to ascend upon the roof to patch and/or re-seal around the pipe to curtail water leakage at the seam around the pipe.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a circular accessory having a hole or bore through its center that fits around the pipe and is secured to the roof with an adhesive so as to provide a water-tight barrier around the pipe. The apparatus for creating a water tight seal around roof pipes comprises a donut-like structure that fits around a pipe extending upwards on a roof. The donut-like structure having an upper surface and a lower surface; one or more layers of adhesive applied on the lower surface of the donut-like structure, and a release liner applied upon the one or more adhesive layers.

In an alternative embodiment, the apparatus is a donut-like structure that fits around a pipe extending upwards on a roof, the donut-like structure having an upper surface and a lower surface, and double sided adhesive tape applied on the lower surface of the structure, the tape having a release liner on the exposed side.

The invention also relates to a method for sealing a joint around a pipe extending upwards on a roof surface, the method comprising the steps of:

-   -   a. a fitting a donut-like structure around the pipe, the         structure having an upper surface and a lower surface, the lower         surface having one or more layers of adhesive layers and a         release liner applied thereon     -   b. lifting the donut-like structure and peeling the release         layer from the lower surface of the donut-like structure to         expose the one or more adhesive layers;     -   c. repositioning the donut-like structure around the roof pipe         such that the one or more adhesive layers adhere to the roof         surface;     -   d. applying pressure on the donut-like structure to create a         tight seal around the pipe.

The above and other features of the invention, including various novel details of construction and combinations of parts, will now be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the claims. It will be understood that the particular device embodying the invention is shown by way of illustration only and not as a limitation of the invention. The principles and features of this invention may be employed in various and numerous embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the apparatus and methods of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the underside of the embodiment in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 provides a partial view of the underside of the embodiment in accordance with the present invention as illustrated in FIG. 1

FIG. 3 illustrates an alternative perspective view of the underside of the embodiment in accordance with the present invention as illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of one embodiment in accordance with the present invention positioned around a pipe;

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the underside of an alternative embodiment in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a top view of an alternative embodiment in accordance with the present invention positioned around a pipe; and

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of an alternative embodiment in accordance with the present invention positioned around a pipe.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-4 illustrate one embodiment of the inventive apparatus in accordance with the present invention. In FIG. 1, a substantially circular or donut-like structure 12 is shown having an upper surface 14 (roof side) and a lower surface 16 (deck side) as well as a center bore or hole 15 (see also FIG. 4). Lower surface 16 is the side which adheres to the surface of a roof. Lower surface 16 is provided with one or more adhesive layers 18 applied thereon. A release liner 20 is provided on adhesive layers 18 and remains thereon until structure 12 is to be applied on a roof surface. Alternatively, lower surface 16 of structure 12 may be provided with double sided tape. The exposed side of the double sided tape also has a release liner thereon.

As FIGS. 1-3 illustrate, donut-like structure 12 is bisected to create a first curved donut half 22 and a second curved donut half 24. First and second halves 22, 24 have first ends 28 and second ends 30. As shown in FIG. 4, when creating a water-tight seal around a roof pipe 26, first and second donut halves 22, 24 are positioned around pipe 26 and secured to the roof surface such that the bisected ends of first and second halves 22, 24 meet and fit together. In an alternative embodiment, first and second ends 28, 30 respectively of first and second donut halves 22, 24 are also provided with double sided tape or an adhesive layer, both having a release liner thereon. In this manner, first and second ends 28, 30 also adhere to each other when lower surface 16 of donut-like structure 12 adheres to the roof surface. Donut-like structure 12 having a first donut half 22 and a second donut half 24 facilitates positioning around pipe 26 and permits an enhanced seal around pipe 26, particularly when the roof surface to which donut-like structure 12 adheres is uneven.

Donut-like structure 12 may be formed by die press, injection molding, extrusion or other commonly known methods of forming plastics or rubber blocks and may be comprised of metal, urethene, plastics, rubber or other known materials that can be formed or molded to form a rigid or flexible structure. Furthermore, it is to be understood that donut-like structure 12 is not limited to a particular size, and structure 12 may be large or small and have a bore 15 of a size to accommodate any roof pipe diameter.

The adhesive used in accordance with the present invention may include of polyisobutenes (PIB), polybutenes, polyisoprene, butyl rubber, styrene-isoprene-styrene (SIS), styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS), styrene-ethylene-butadiene-styrene (SEBS), acrylics, polyurethanes, atactic polypropylene (APP) or other similar adhesives and/or suitable mixtures thereof.

In accordance with the alternative embodiment of the present invention, the double-sided adhesive tape has a thickness in the range of approximately 2 to 90 mils. Preferably, the double-sided tape has a thickness of approximately 50 mils. Donut-like structure 12 has a width in the range from approximately ½″ to 36″, a height in the range from approximately 1 inch to 4 inches, and inside diameter in the range from approximately 2 inches to 36 inches.

In an alternative embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 5-7, Donut-like structure 12 is monolithic or non-bisected having an upper surface 14 and lower surface 16 with a center bore or hole 15 extending there through. Non-bisected donut-like structure 12 will be used for positioning around short roof pipes (such as pipe 26 in FIGS. 6 and 7). Bisected donut like structure 12 having first and second halves 22, 24 will be useful when placing it around a very long roof pipe. With long roof pipes, the bisected donut-like structure 12 will permit a roofer to easily adjust and resize around the roof pipe to create an effective water-tight seal.

Oftentimes due to the variety of different size roof pipes there is some spacing between the roof pipe and the donut-like structure 12 (as shown in FIGS. 4, 6 and 7). This spacing is generally filled with a pourable sealant (not shown) such as those commercially available from Ashland Chemicals Inc., M-Weld®, Firestone, JM, and Genflex®, all of which are water resistant.

While there has been shown and described what is considered to be preferred embodiments of the invention, it will, of course, be understood that various modifications and changes in form or detail could readily be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is therefore intended that the invention be not limited to the exact forms described and illustrated, but should be constructed to cover all modifications that may fall within the scope of the appended claims. 

1. An apparatus for creating a water tight seal around roof pipes, comprising: a. a donut-like structure having a center bore that fits around a pipe extending upwards on a roof, the donut-like structure having an upper surface and a lower surface; b. one or more layers of adhesive applied on the lower surface of the donut-like structure; c. a release liner applied upon the one or more adhesive layers.
 2. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the donut-like structure is bisected.
 3. The apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein the bisected donut-like structure comprises two halves.
 4. The apparatus as recited in claim 3, wherein each of the halves has a first end and a second end.
 5. The apparatus as recited in claim 4, wherein the first and second ends of each of said halves are provided with an adhesive layer and release liner on the adhesive layer.
 6. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the one or more layers of adhesive are selected from the group consisting of polyisobutenes (PIB), polybutenes, polyisoprene, butyl rubber, styrene-isoprene-styrene (SIS), styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS), styrene-ethylene-butadiene-styrene (SEBS), acrylics, polyurethanes, atactic polypropylene (APP) or a suitable mixture thereof.
 7. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the release liner is selected from the group consisting of waxed paper, polycoated paper, film-based paper or plastic.
 8. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the donut-like structure has a height in the range from approximately 1 inch to 4 inches.
 9. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the donut-like structure has a width in the range from approximately ½ inch to 6 inches.
 10. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the center bore of the donut-like structure has an interior diameter in the range from approximately 2 inches to 36 inches.
 11. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein a gap formed between the donut-like structure is filled with a pourable sealant.
 12. A method for sealing a joint around a pipe extending upwards on a roof surface, the method comprising the steps of: a. a fitting a donut-like structure around the pipe, the structure having an upper surface and a lower surface, the lower surface having one or more layers of adhesive layers and a release liner applied thereon b. lifting the donut-like structure and peeling the release layer from the lower surface of the donut-like structure to expose the one or more adhesive layers; c. repositioning the donut-like structure around the roof pipe such that the one or more adhesive layers adhere to the roof surface; d. applying pressure on the donut-like structure to create a tight seal around the pipe.
 13. The method as recited in claim 12, wherein the one or more layers of adhesive are selected from the group consisting of polyisobutenes (PIB), polybutenes, polyisoprene, butyl rubber, styrene-isoprene-styrene (SIS), styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS), styrene-ethylene-butadiene-styrene (SEBS), acrylics, polyurethanes, atactic polypropylene (APP) or a suitable mixture thereof.
 14. The method as recited in claim 12, wherein the release liner is selected from the group consisting of waxed paper, polycoated paper, film-based paper or plastic.
 15. The method as recited in claim 12, wherein the donut-like structure is bisected.
 16. The method as recited in claim 15, wherein the bisected donut-like structure comprises two halves.
 17. The method as recited in claim 12, further comprising the step of pouring a sealant in a gap formed between the roof pipe and the donut-like structure.
 18. An apparatus for creating a water tight seal around roof pipes, comprising: a. a donut-like structure that fits around a pipe extending upwards on a roof, the donut-like structure having an upper surface and a lower surface; and b. double sided adhesive tape applied on the lower surface of the structure, the tape having a release liner on the exposed side.
 19. The apparatus as recited in claim 18, wherein the donut-like structure is bisected.
 20. The apparatus as recited in claim 19, wherein the bisected donut-like structure comprises two halves.
 21. The apparatus as recited in claim 20, wherein each of the halves has a first end and a second end.
 22. The apparatus as recited in claim 21, wherein the first and second ends of each of said halves are provided with an adhesive layer and release liner on the adhesive layer.
 23. The apparatus as recited in claim 18, wherein the release liner is selected from the group consisting of waxed paper, polycoated paper, film-based paper or plastic.
 24. The apparatus as recited in claim 18, wherein the double-sided adhesive tape has a thickness in the range of approximately 2 to 90 mils.
 25. The apparatus as recited in claim 24, wherein the double-sided tape has a thickness of approximately 50 mils.
 26. An apparatus for creating a water tight seal around roof pipes, comprising: a. a bisected donut-like structure having a center bore that fits around a pipe extending upwards on a roof, the donut-like structure having an upper surface and a lower surface; b. one or more layers of adhesive applied on the lower surface of the donut-like structure; and c. a release liner applied upon the one or more adhesive layers.
 27. The apparatus as recited in claim 26, wherein the bisected donut-like structure comprises two halves.
 28. The apparatus as recited in claim 27, wherein each of the halves has a first end and a second end.
 29. The apparatus as recited in claim 28, wherein the first and second ends of each of said halves are provided with an adhesive layer and release liner on the adhesive layer.
 30. The apparatus as recited in claim 26, wherein the one or more layers of adhesive are selected from the group consisting of polyisobutenes (PIB), polybutenes, polyisoprene, butyl rubber, styrene-isoprene-styrene (SIS), styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS), styrene-ethylene-butadiene-styrene (SEBS), acrylics, polyurethanes, atactic polypropylene (APP) or a suitable mixture thereof.
 31. The apparatus as recited in claim 26, wherein the release liner is selected from the group consisting of waxed paper, polycoated paper, film-based paper or plastic.
 32. The apparatus as recited in claim 26, wherein the donut-like structure has a height in the range from approximately 1 inch to 4 inches.
 33. The apparatus as recited in claim 26, wherein the donut-like structure has a width in the range from approximately ½ inch to 6 inches.
 34. The apparatus as recited in claim 26, wherein the center bore of the donut-like structure has an interior diameter in the range from approximately 2 inch to 36 inches.
 35. The apparatus as recited in claim 26, wherein a gap formed between the donut-like structure is filled with a pourable sealant. 